I lost my big brother almost two years ago. Not in the usual way we humans "lose" someone we love, but it's just as gutwrenching and painful. And...its taboo to talk about. You can't embarass your family by telling people about it.
Well, to hell with taboos. I'm talking.
My big brother is wrongly imprisoned for attempted murder. *There*, I said it.
Yes, he shot someone. He shot a methamphetamine addict and thief he caught in his house stealing from him. He shot the guy and his buddy IN THE KNEE. THAT constitutes attempted murder in the state of Florida, USA. Did you know this?
He was immediately arrested, even though HE called the police. Florida is supposed to be a "Castle" state...as in "A Man's Home is His Castle" and he has the right to defend it with deadly force if it is under attack by intruders (which my brother's home was).
Well....ONLY if you use a weapon that the Judge likes, apparently. My brother used an AR-15 to shoot the ass in the knee. The weapon was properly licensed to my brother, who has a military background and is well trained in the use of this weapon. One shot, one kill...right between the eyes. He wasn't trying to kill the ass, he was STOPPING HIM FROM LEAVING WITH HIS STUFF...and sending a message. YOU WONT STEAL FROM ME ANYMORE....AND IM TIRED OF YOUR CRAP, GET OFF THE METH and GET A JOB!
The judge in his case declared him a menace to society! He was forbidden bond while he mounted his legal defense, and the judge cut corners and threw out exculpatory evidence as if it was yesterday's pantiliner.
July 30, 2009, she sent my brother away until 2019. He will be 58 when he is released just shy of his birthday. An old man. His son will be 20 years old (10 when his Dad lost his life)....
I haven't been allowed to write or visit my brother. The only thing I am allowed to do is send money to him on his account. Same for our parents, who live 9 hours away from him now (instead of 5 minutes as had been the case).
Our parents are exhausting their retirement savings in order to defend my big brother, my hero. He has already lost his home, his wife, his son....and now our parents are losing their retirement fund to appeal this travesty of justice.
The meth-head? They took him to the hospital, cleaned him up, released him...and he's up to his same old tricks. He had to find a new house to rob though....my brother's place stands empty. It foreclosed the first week of August 2010. Our parents have sold or stored my brother's belongings, and they took in his dogs. His wife has divorced my brother and moved on and my nephew...misses his Dad terribly.
Life...interrupted. My big brother. My hero. My defender as a child and teenager, I have so many hilarious and wonderful memories of growing up with him.
We went to Catholic school. He was an altarboy. He and his altarboy buddies got into the wine once. Got it BIG trouble for that one. He kicked the ass of a guy who got out of line with me once. Of course, in high school I didnt date too much. My big brother was right there to convince other guys to find someone else....so protectie he was of his little "Sissy".
I miss him. It's weird to talk about him in the past tense, but in some ways you have to when a loved one is sent away. "Jim would have loved this meal"..."Mike would have loved that picture". "Thanksgiving was his favorite holiday....turkey was his favorite"....see what I mean?
And yet...I find myself in this position fairly often....and it brings tears. Especially when I see his mugshot. It breaks my heart all over again. He looks so tough and so hard....like a bad guy and I know he is NOT. I can't imagine how my mother handles this....if it tears me up like this, I don't know how she gets out of bed. But she does, and so do I. Life does go on.
I wish I could hit the lottery. I would fund my big brother's defense all the way to the US Supreme Court. Whatever it takes to get him HOME with his famil and to return him to my young nephew, so his father won't be a stranger to him when he's 20 years old.
At any rate...to my Big Brother, I love you! I miss you. And we'll be RIGHT HERE WAITING FOR YOU!!!!! Always...
Your Little Sissy...
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Where I like to put my purse....
So, alrighty then. Did a little experiment on FB to see what would happen. Well, me and a few of my galpals did. Apparently this has been done before, but this was my first go-round...and the results were quite hilarious. Here goes:
A few of us decided we would change our status lines to where we like to put our purse when we walk in the door, only we wouldn't explain what we were talking about. So, I changed my status to read:
"I like mine on the living room chair....near my room! Or sometimes, the kitchen table."
Well it would seem that most of my friends on FB are men....because the reaction was instanteous and positively combustible. Hil-a-ri-ous. And quite predictable.
They all thought we were talking about SEX. :))
While I won't copy and paste their comments here because I don't thin that's fair, I can tell you I was forced to take my status line down early today because I was inundated with indecent proposals and comments. *sigh*
But, out of the chaos, came some coolness. A good friend of my big brother's has reconnected with me. My mother LOVED HIM when we were in high school. I crushed on him badly....but from a safe distance at school....and at home with my Dad and big brother around to throw cold water on us when our flirting got out of hand.
So we had a nice chat last night. I learned that MY MOTHER made him take me out the one and only time we ever went out. I was 15, he was 17. I can't believe my mother was that big of an IDIOT!!!! I am now the mother of a 15 year old girl (who loos incredibly like I did at the same age), and I would in NO WAY fix her up with a boy and make him take her out. OMG...I am SO relieved she has decided SHE doesn't want to date so she can focus on school and wrestling! Yay!
But I digress, so this fella took me out on a Friday night. We cruised the usual hangouts in his car (can't even remember what he drove back then), then I guess in his brilliant, hormone induced mind, figured if MY MOM gave him permission to take her 15 year old out, he had permission to take me PARKING!!! He told me last night he only wanted a kiss (which he got, and I was pretty happy about it the time) but when he pushed for more, I was pretty repulsed and told him to take me home. Unbeknownst to him he was out with a virgin who intended to remain that way....at least a little longer than that evening! ;)
So, he took me home and I quickly lost my crush on him. *poof* I told my brother what happened, but not Mom. My brother let him live "because I like the guy".
Not long after I lost my crush on the fella, he traded me in on a YOUNGER model! Yes, this would be the first of several times in my life this happened to me. And so it goes....
At the end of the conversation, he asked for my phone number..and said if I didn't give it to him, he'd just call my Mom to get it. Said something snarky about...."She likes me". LOL.
I dare him! I'm not 15 anymore. Im almost 48, ...and he and Mom can do their Eddie Haskell, June Cleaver imitation and see if it still works like it did! :))
"Gee...Mrs. Cleaver, you're looking lovely today...."
Yes. Some men can be so silly and gullible like that. They believe that "I like mine on the living room chair....near my room! Or sometimes, the kitchen table." means I am talking about sex too!
Good gawd almighty! *sigh*
A few of us decided we would change our status lines to where we like to put our purse when we walk in the door, only we wouldn't explain what we were talking about. So, I changed my status to read:
"I like mine on the living room chair....near my room! Or sometimes, the kitchen table."
Well it would seem that most of my friends on FB are men....because the reaction was instanteous and positively combustible. Hil-a-ri-ous. And quite predictable.
They all thought we were talking about SEX. :))
While I won't copy and paste their comments here because I don't thin that's fair, I can tell you I was forced to take my status line down early today because I was inundated with indecent proposals and comments. *sigh*
But, out of the chaos, came some coolness. A good friend of my big brother's has reconnected with me. My mother LOVED HIM when we were in high school. I crushed on him badly....but from a safe distance at school....and at home with my Dad and big brother around to throw cold water on us when our flirting got out of hand.
So we had a nice chat last night. I learned that MY MOTHER made him take me out the one and only time we ever went out. I was 15, he was 17. I can't believe my mother was that big of an IDIOT!!!! I am now the mother of a 15 year old girl (who loos incredibly like I did at the same age), and I would in NO WAY fix her up with a boy and make him take her out. OMG...I am SO relieved she has decided SHE doesn't want to date so she can focus on school and wrestling! Yay!
But I digress, so this fella took me out on a Friday night. We cruised the usual hangouts in his car (can't even remember what he drove back then), then I guess in his brilliant, hormone induced mind, figured if MY MOM gave him permission to take her 15 year old out, he had permission to take me PARKING!!! He told me last night he only wanted a kiss (which he got, and I was pretty happy about it the time) but when he pushed for more, I was pretty repulsed and told him to take me home. Unbeknownst to him he was out with a virgin who intended to remain that way....at least a little longer than that evening! ;)
So, he took me home and I quickly lost my crush on him. *poof* I told my brother what happened, but not Mom. My brother let him live "because I like the guy".
Not long after I lost my crush on the fella, he traded me in on a YOUNGER model! Yes, this would be the first of several times in my life this happened to me. And so it goes....
At the end of the conversation, he asked for my phone number..and said if I didn't give it to him, he'd just call my Mom to get it. Said something snarky about...."She likes me". LOL.
I dare him! I'm not 15 anymore. Im almost 48, ...and he and Mom can do their Eddie Haskell, June Cleaver imitation and see if it still works like it did! :))
"Gee...Mrs. Cleaver, you're looking lovely today...."
Yes. Some men can be so silly and gullible like that. They believe that "I like mine on the living room chair....near my room! Or sometimes, the kitchen table." means I am talking about sex too!
Good gawd almighty! *sigh*
Monday, October 4, 2010
Rainy days and Mondays....and my blonde ambition!
^sigh* It's after midnight, and it's Monday. Rainy days and Mondays...always get me down. :)
Start a new job this week. It's not a real job, as in what I've been doing for years, but it pays and it will keep a roof over our heads and what not...while I find the RIGHT job, paying what I'm used to making doing what I'm used to doing. I go in tomorrow to do the orientation paperwork, get put in the payroll system and complete I-9 and all of that stuff. Such fun...a new employer, a new boss. I still need a REAL job.
My sweet lovely daughter left me a really awesome note on Facebook tonight...and I didn't even have to harass her. She's been spending the last few weeks at her Dads house due to wrestling practice and her tutoring schedule. I miss her and her twin brother like crazy. Bro is coming home tomorrow and will be here till Friday am, when he'll return to school. Their Dad will pick up Friday night after work and they're headed to North Carolina for his mothers for the weekend. I am seriously in need of time with my kids, but I'm glad they're spending good quality time with their dear old Dad.
So my internet flirt fest has taken a temporary breather...which was probably good. It was getting smoking hot and someone mights gotten hurt...over the internet! lol. He's been busy working and I've been busy playing this weekend (my last weekend of freedom from work). LOL
My bestie from 1st grade did my hair last night. She took my mousy brown frumpy all one length hair, cut, highlighted and blow dried it...and turned me into a hot blonde looking 10-15 years younger than my true age. I mean to tell you...nothing does wonders for a woman like a good cut n color! Woo hoo!
And blondes definitely have more fun!...I took a nice long walk down the highway from my apartment today. I had to get out of the house and enjoy our perfect fall weather (under 70 all day, totally sunny with a nice breeze). Perfect walking weather. I got more honks and cat calls than I have in years! AMAZING. I should have done this eons ago! Don't know why I didn't.
So...now I need to get back to my exercise program and tone up to make my young looking face and hair match my middle-age-ish body. *sigh*
Why is it we start to turn to mush just after the clock hits 4-0? I have always been stick thin my whole life...could eat whatever I want and not gain an ounce. Now...all I have to do is look at food and I gain. Sort of like back 15 years ago all I had to do was sit next to Robbie and I would get knocked up. It just happens with no effort at all.
Is the weight gain the price of men-o-pause? No men, everything on pause? If that's what it is....at least I can't get pregnant. With twin almost 16 year olds, i don't think I could go back to newborn days. Except maybe as a Grammy....and whoa Nellie, I'm sure not ready for that. Not yet anyway. In ten years, perhaps. But not now.
So I'm looking forward to dear daughter the exercise freak coming home, because I'm going to have her start working me out and getting me back to my fighting weight. I think she'll be very happy about this....either that, or we'll fight like cats and dogs and that will be the end of it.
She is a mini-me...our personalties are very similar. We're intensely intense about the things that matter to us...she her wrestling, me my children, she her figure, me...once upon a time, my figure (before babies when I had time to work out six days a week). And now I am entering upon the middle ages....and I want to be a hot blonde momma for a few years before everything sags to the floor and the horns stop honkin! :))
Perhaps I'll hear from my smokin hot internet flirt fest man, Paddy O'Whacker. He's a really good guy, but a total mystery to me. He's a blast to flirt with...so stay tuned. This could be the start of......?
Well that's all for now...see I told you I'd be back. And I was!
Nite all....
Start a new job this week. It's not a real job, as in what I've been doing for years, but it pays and it will keep a roof over our heads and what not...while I find the RIGHT job, paying what I'm used to making doing what I'm used to doing. I go in tomorrow to do the orientation paperwork, get put in the payroll system and complete I-9 and all of that stuff. Such fun...a new employer, a new boss. I still need a REAL job.
My sweet lovely daughter left me a really awesome note on Facebook tonight...and I didn't even have to harass her. She's been spending the last few weeks at her Dads house due to wrestling practice and her tutoring schedule. I miss her and her twin brother like crazy. Bro is coming home tomorrow and will be here till Friday am, when he'll return to school. Their Dad will pick up Friday night after work and they're headed to North Carolina for his mothers for the weekend. I am seriously in need of time with my kids, but I'm glad they're spending good quality time with their dear old Dad.
So my internet flirt fest has taken a temporary breather...which was probably good. It was getting smoking hot and someone mights gotten hurt...over the internet! lol. He's been busy working and I've been busy playing this weekend (my last weekend of freedom from work). LOL
My bestie from 1st grade did my hair last night. She took my mousy brown frumpy all one length hair, cut, highlighted and blow dried it...and turned me into a hot blonde looking 10-15 years younger than my true age. I mean to tell you...nothing does wonders for a woman like a good cut n color! Woo hoo!
And blondes definitely have more fun!...I took a nice long walk down the highway from my apartment today. I had to get out of the house and enjoy our perfect fall weather (under 70 all day, totally sunny with a nice breeze). Perfect walking weather. I got more honks and cat calls than I have in years! AMAZING. I should have done this eons ago! Don't know why I didn't.
So...now I need to get back to my exercise program and tone up to make my young looking face and hair match my middle-age-ish body. *sigh*
Why is it we start to turn to mush just after the clock hits 4-0? I have always been stick thin my whole life...could eat whatever I want and not gain an ounce. Now...all I have to do is look at food and I gain. Sort of like back 15 years ago all I had to do was sit next to Robbie and I would get knocked up. It just happens with no effort at all.
Is the weight gain the price of men-o-pause? No men, everything on pause? If that's what it is....at least I can't get pregnant. With twin almost 16 year olds, i don't think I could go back to newborn days. Except maybe as a Grammy....and whoa Nellie, I'm sure not ready for that. Not yet anyway. In ten years, perhaps. But not now.
So I'm looking forward to dear daughter the exercise freak coming home, because I'm going to have her start working me out and getting me back to my fighting weight. I think she'll be very happy about this....either that, or we'll fight like cats and dogs and that will be the end of it.
She is a mini-me...our personalties are very similar. We're intensely intense about the things that matter to us...she her wrestling, me my children, she her figure, me...once upon a time, my figure (before babies when I had time to work out six days a week). And now I am entering upon the middle ages....and I want to be a hot blonde momma for a few years before everything sags to the floor and the horns stop honkin! :))
Perhaps I'll hear from my smokin hot internet flirt fest man, Paddy O'Whacker. He's a really good guy, but a total mystery to me. He's a blast to flirt with...so stay tuned. This could be the start of......?
Well that's all for now...see I told you I'd be back. And I was!
Nite all....
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Feels Like Home Tonight...
Well, it's obvious...I am not good at maintaining my blog. That we have established. But as I sit here at 3 am, hair looking awesome cuz I just got it done today and feeling 20 years younger, I think I am going to re-dedicate myself to my writing. Someone recently told me they liked it, and that I am GOOD at it (but isn't everyone in this day and age with the internet?) Regardless, I am totally flattered!
So, lets see where are we now? The twinlets are with their Dad this weekend. I am having a smoking internet flirt fest with a man from my past I haven't seen in...almost 35 years. I don't know about him, but this is just the shot in the arm I needed. We went to elementary and middle school together. He was a pretty good looking kid and a real nice guy back then, and I was one skinny awkward strange child (at least that's how I remember things). I have no idea what he looks like right now, but you know what? It doesn't matter....he's engaged my mind....captured my attention, and challenged me to write again. AND...he likes my writing. Every note, every comment, its a test of wits...because I have to tell you, he can write too. And the best part is we seem to "get" each other....which is kind of unusual for me. In my past men haven't exactly been really interested "getting" me, or in my writing.
So anyway this Facebook thing that I originally joined so I could spy on my twinlets has actually enabled me to get caught up with people I thought I'd never see again. Including my bestie since 1st grade (who did my hair today and I am telling you, that girl can DO HAIR!) and the man who is making me behave like a teenager in heat.
So...yeah, right now it feels like I have gone home....where I belong. People from my past have returned to my life. I assumed they were lost to me forever and it feels SO good to have them back. So, thank you, Facebook geeks! I don't care if that movie makes you all look like plastic pocket protector nerds. This world needs smart young people to innovate and create...and if its the nerds who are meant to do the work, so be it!! More power to you!!
Been listening to a song that kind of speaks to my heart about the place I find myself in tonight. Gonna post the link (I hope, not sure if I can get this right, I'll try)....
I'm gonna sigh off with that, but I'll be back later today! I promise (I know, I knoww, I've said it before).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-ouxPhYy7Y&NR=1&feature=fvwp
Take care,
Jeny
So, lets see where are we now? The twinlets are with their Dad this weekend. I am having a smoking internet flirt fest with a man from my past I haven't seen in...almost 35 years. I don't know about him, but this is just the shot in the arm I needed. We went to elementary and middle school together. He was a pretty good looking kid and a real nice guy back then, and I was one skinny awkward strange child (at least that's how I remember things). I have no idea what he looks like right now, but you know what? It doesn't matter....he's engaged my mind....captured my attention, and challenged me to write again. AND...he likes my writing. Every note, every comment, its a test of wits...because I have to tell you, he can write too. And the best part is we seem to "get" each other....which is kind of unusual for me. In my past men haven't exactly been really interested "getting" me, or in my writing.
So anyway this Facebook thing that I originally joined so I could spy on my twinlets has actually enabled me to get caught up with people I thought I'd never see again. Including my bestie since 1st grade (who did my hair today and I am telling you, that girl can DO HAIR!) and the man who is making me behave like a teenager in heat.
So...yeah, right now it feels like I have gone home....where I belong. People from my past have returned to my life. I assumed they were lost to me forever and it feels SO good to have them back. So, thank you, Facebook geeks! I don't care if that movie makes you all look like plastic pocket protector nerds. This world needs smart young people to innovate and create...and if its the nerds who are meant to do the work, so be it!! More power to you!!
Been listening to a song that kind of speaks to my heart about the place I find myself in tonight. Gonna post the link (I hope, not sure if I can get this right, I'll try)....
I'm gonna sigh off with that, but I'll be back later today! I promise (I know, I knoww, I've said it before).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-ouxPhYy7Y&NR=1&feature=fvwp
Take care,
Jeny
Saturday, July 31, 2010
I must do better!
I know, it's been a while since I blogged, but life has gotten in the way. I know I must do better, and apologize for my extended absence.
Woring on my thoughts and will post an extended update later this weekend.
My best to all... :))
Woring on my thoughts and will post an extended update later this weekend.
My best to all... :))
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Happy Father's Day, Dad!
Apologies for my brief absence...but a lot has been going on here. I'm not ready to go into it just yet, but will fill you all in at some point down the road.
So lets move on to the REAL reason for this post! It's Father's Day! To my father and my ex, I wish you both the most amazing Father's Day ever.
My ex has our kids this weekend. He's taken the twins to visit his mother in the North Carolina mountains. Last report everyone was happy, healthy and having a blast. He's a brave man, my ex. He took two 15 year old teens, and three geriatric dogs of varying breeds on a 5 hour (each way) trip to visit his Mom for the Father's Day weekend. Our daughter alone is enough to make one re-think the trip...she's tough on her parents. Especially her Dad--she knows he absolutely adores her and her cute little brown eyes, dimpled smile and lovey personality.
The kids are supposed to check in with me before they go to bed when they're with Dad, but its 11:30 pm and no word. I would imagine the cool mountain air has worn our kids out and they're already snoozing, as well I should be also.
So, in the morning, a full update! In the meantime, Happy Father's Day Daddy, my ex, my brothers, my uncles and friends with children. Sadly, we lost both of my grandfathers long ago in 1974 and 1978. I'm sure they're smiling down on us as I type.
Good night all...more in the morning (including a bit about Abby Sunderland's nutzo dad---man did I *nail* it on him).
So lets move on to the REAL reason for this post! It's Father's Day! To my father and my ex, I wish you both the most amazing Father's Day ever.
My ex has our kids this weekend. He's taken the twins to visit his mother in the North Carolina mountains. Last report everyone was happy, healthy and having a blast. He's a brave man, my ex. He took two 15 year old teens, and three geriatric dogs of varying breeds on a 5 hour (each way) trip to visit his Mom for the Father's Day weekend. Our daughter alone is enough to make one re-think the trip...she's tough on her parents. Especially her Dad--she knows he absolutely adores her and her cute little brown eyes, dimpled smile and lovey personality.
The kids are supposed to check in with me before they go to bed when they're with Dad, but its 11:30 pm and no word. I would imagine the cool mountain air has worn our kids out and they're already snoozing, as well I should be also.
So, in the morning, a full update! In the meantime, Happy Father's Day Daddy, my ex, my brothers, my uncles and friends with children. Sadly, we lost both of my grandfathers long ago in 1974 and 1978. I'm sure they're smiling down on us as I type.
Good night all...more in the morning (including a bit about Abby Sunderland's nutzo dad---man did I *nail* it on him).
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Abby Sunderland, Age 16, Missing at Sea, Fears for her Fate
I'm a Mom of twins just six months younger than Abby.
If you don't know who she is, she is an American teenager who has been attempting to sail around the world solo, unassisted, in a 35 foot yacht. Today the worst happened, she has gone missing at sea after fighting 30 foot waves in the Indian Ocean, approximately 2,000 miles off the coast of Western Australia.
This is Abby's blog for more info http://soloround.blogspot.com/2010_06_01_archive.html
Here's where my Momma Bear comes out. It is WINTER in the Southern Hemisphere. The absolute WORST TIME OF YEAR to be sailing between Australia and Antarctica, and yet "Team Abby" thought it appropriate, safe and wise to send this 16 year old child off around the world from California in January--meaning her itinerary taking her through the Southern Hemisphere in winter?
Hullo? WHY would anyone put a young sailor--a child really--through almost ALL winter conditions (Northern and Southern Hemisphere)? Is this to somehow top Jessica Watson's recent accomplishment? Well, ding-dang-dong, the goal *isn't* to end up with a DEAD sailor, but that's probably what has happened to our dear Miss Abby.
My children are sweet, wonderful, considerate (mostly)...but I won't let my daughter walk to the CVS alone, much less sail around the world. ITS JUST DANGEROUS.
Many a Sailor has died attempting to do what Abby tried and Jessica succeeded in doing. Jessica Watson is damned lucky she didn't meet the same fate as Abby. I read her blog and followed her trip (which lasted from October 2009 - May 2010).
Jessica darned near didn't make it to Sydney, going through the exact same seas that (in all probability) have taken Abby Sunderland's life. Jessica limped home, with a torn mainsail and a host of other problems. Just before making it home, she had a night where she had 4 knock downs (where the boat is knocked on its side or upside down by huge waves). Jessica wasn't even fighting the truly hideous storm that Abby was fighting before her TWO emergency beacons were activated (one automatic and one manual).
Abby's in trouble. BIG trouble. I am beside myself and can't sleep tonight because I am worrying about someone else's child. I don't even know Abby, but right now I could cheerfully throttle her parents.
If she has, indeed, perished at sea I hold THEM and ONLY THEM responsible.
As a parent, it is our role to nurture, protect and raise our children TO ADULTHOOD. Emphasis on the *protect* part.
Sending your child on a solo-round-the-world-yacht-trip at age 16 is just about the dumbest thing you can do. I mean, heck, why not hand the checkbook, car and keys over to your toddler and say "See ya later"? It's the same effect.
Abdicating responsibility.
If it was truly Abby's dream to circumnavigate the globe alone and unassisted, surely this goal could have waited a few years until she had more maturity to deal with the situations at hand. I've been reading Abby's blogs, and the poor child has been through a harrowing ordeal already. She was NOT mentally prepared for this journey, in my very humble opinion. I feel quite certain she felt pressure from her family to take this trip. Her older brother made the trip a year ago. Her father has been big in to pushing this trip....and now? NOW, he may not have a daughter anymore.
He should he drawn and quartered. Tarred and feathered. I am SO beside myself.
Abby has been bouncing around in freezing temperatures, sub-freezing waters, for well near 18 hours now. The absolute *SOONEST* a rescue craft can reach her is another 36 hours or so. I fear this will have a very poor outcome for our dear Abby.
Nobody can survive those conditions, for that long, no matter how well prepared they are equipment wise (and she *was* well equipped).
So, my dear readers and friends, you'll have to bear with me if I am a) absent from my blog focusing on Abby and her fate, or b) here posting often and with great aggravation and impatience about her fate.
As I said--the Momma Bear in me is out. The worst place to be is between a Momma Bear and one of her cubs. If Abby's parents can't or won't be her Momma Bear, I WILL!!!
Get our girl OUT OF THE DAMNED WATER ALREADY!!!!!
And to other parents who might consider this foolishness: STOP! NO MORE DEAD TEENAGE RECORD SETTERS!
Damn! Just DAMN!!!!!
If you don't know who she is, she is an American teenager who has been attempting to sail around the world solo, unassisted, in a 35 foot yacht. Today the worst happened, she has gone missing at sea after fighting 30 foot waves in the Indian Ocean, approximately 2,000 miles off the coast of Western Australia.
This is Abby's blog for more info http://soloround.blogspot.com/2010_06_01_archive.html
Here's where my Momma Bear comes out. It is WINTER in the Southern Hemisphere. The absolute WORST TIME OF YEAR to be sailing between Australia and Antarctica, and yet "Team Abby" thought it appropriate, safe and wise to send this 16 year old child off around the world from California in January--meaning her itinerary taking her through the Southern Hemisphere in winter?
Hullo? WHY would anyone put a young sailor--a child really--through almost ALL winter conditions (Northern and Southern Hemisphere)? Is this to somehow top Jessica Watson's recent accomplishment? Well, ding-dang-dong, the goal *isn't* to end up with a DEAD sailor, but that's probably what has happened to our dear Miss Abby.
My children are sweet, wonderful, considerate (mostly)...but I won't let my daughter walk to the CVS alone, much less sail around the world. ITS JUST DANGEROUS.
Many a Sailor has died attempting to do what Abby tried and Jessica succeeded in doing. Jessica Watson is damned lucky she didn't meet the same fate as Abby. I read her blog and followed her trip (which lasted from October 2009 - May 2010).
Jessica darned near didn't make it to Sydney, going through the exact same seas that (in all probability) have taken Abby Sunderland's life. Jessica limped home, with a torn mainsail and a host of other problems. Just before making it home, she had a night where she had 4 knock downs (where the boat is knocked on its side or upside down by huge waves). Jessica wasn't even fighting the truly hideous storm that Abby was fighting before her TWO emergency beacons were activated (one automatic and one manual).
Abby's in trouble. BIG trouble. I am beside myself and can't sleep tonight because I am worrying about someone else's child. I don't even know Abby, but right now I could cheerfully throttle her parents.
If she has, indeed, perished at sea I hold THEM and ONLY THEM responsible.
As a parent, it is our role to nurture, protect and raise our children TO ADULTHOOD. Emphasis on the *protect* part.
Sending your child on a solo-round-the-world-yacht-trip at age 16 is just about the dumbest thing you can do. I mean, heck, why not hand the checkbook, car and keys over to your toddler and say "See ya later"? It's the same effect.
Abdicating responsibility.
If it was truly Abby's dream to circumnavigate the globe alone and unassisted, surely this goal could have waited a few years until she had more maturity to deal with the situations at hand. I've been reading Abby's blogs, and the poor child has been through a harrowing ordeal already. She was NOT mentally prepared for this journey, in my very humble opinion. I feel quite certain she felt pressure from her family to take this trip. Her older brother made the trip a year ago. Her father has been big in to pushing this trip....and now? NOW, he may not have a daughter anymore.
He should he drawn and quartered. Tarred and feathered. I am SO beside myself.
Abby has been bouncing around in freezing temperatures, sub-freezing waters, for well near 18 hours now. The absolute *SOONEST* a rescue craft can reach her is another 36 hours or so. I fear this will have a very poor outcome for our dear Abby.
Nobody can survive those conditions, for that long, no matter how well prepared they are equipment wise (and she *was* well equipped).
So, my dear readers and friends, you'll have to bear with me if I am a) absent from my blog focusing on Abby and her fate, or b) here posting often and with great aggravation and impatience about her fate.
As I said--the Momma Bear in me is out. The worst place to be is between a Momma Bear and one of her cubs. If Abby's parents can't or won't be her Momma Bear, I WILL!!!
Get our girl OUT OF THE DAMNED WATER ALREADY!!!!!
And to other parents who might consider this foolishness: STOP! NO MORE DEAD TEENAGE RECORD SETTERS!
Damn! Just DAMN!!!!!
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Groceries, Teenagers and Larry the Cable Guy!
So we finally refilled that pantry after the twinlets extended absence from home. The house looks like a tornado hit, but the pantry and their tummies are full, so I can deal with the rest tomorrow.
As I sit here typing, my daughter is sitting on my lovely king-sized bed (which was a post-divorce "To Me, From me, With Love" present. She's got her sponge rollers out and she's putting her hair up ala 1940's style rag-curls. I wish I could figure out how to post pictures on this blog, because I'd love to show you what she looks like at the moment. Of course, I don't think she'd apreciate it. So, in all due time I'll figure out the picture thing and then there'll be illustrations to go along with the stories (which I think always makes a story MUCH better).
So anyway, Larry the Cable Guy just came on TV and she asked me if I would make HIM her "New Dad". OMG....I nearly fell out of my chair. Larry the Cable Guy? Hello?? Does my child think I have no taste in men? Is she trying to tell me something?
I responded that I might consider Ron White, alcoholic that he is, but at least he is tremendously funny, not hard on the eyes, and probably boinkable (well, hopefully, unless the liquor makes that...well, tricky). But Larry the Cable Guy? I don't farking think so, my dear.
Her twin brother heard this conversation and popped in to my room to back her up. WHAT? My son also thinks I have horrible taste in men?
When did this happen? I haven't really dated much since their Dad and I split up. I've kind of been busy....working full time, keeping a home, going from work to children's activities and just generally raising twins single-handedly takes a lot of time and effort. Which leaves very little time for dating and adult fun. I mean, how in the heck do other single moms get remarried and remarried and remarried again? Don't you have to do some dating to make a wedding happen (nevermind 3 or 4 weddings)?? I've always been under that impression. *sigh*
Of course, I don't for a minute think the twinlets were serious about Larry....they couldn't be, could they?
And now that her hair is up in her sponge curlers that make her look like a 1940's pin up girl (think Rosie the Riveter), with a nice little bandana wrapped around her head, she has left her mess on my bed and poppoed on out of my room. Such fun.
And you know what? In just three more school years, the fun will be over. My kids will be old enough to vote! To fly the coop! To live where they want, with whom they want and there won't be anything I can do about! Where has the time gone?
Tonight we were in Walmart. The same Walmart I took the kids to when they were in preschool. I was in the detergent aisle and I heard a little girl sing-songing one aisle over. For some strange reason, I started to cry as the realization that I missed this sound washed over me. Literally, while I stood there and enjoyed a sound that I don't get to hear all that often anymore, I boo-hooed. That sing-song thing little girls do is a sound that used to drive me to distraction when my kids were little and I was rushed and trying to get things bought so we could go home, put it away, cook dinner, take baths and get to bed before 9pm.
And now...I would give anything to have those days back...for just a little while.
I miss my little babies. They're growing up so fast. When they were 4 or 5, Larry the Cable Guy wouldn't have even been remotely interesting to them. They would have said "oh gross Mom", and I would have agreed (well, I still agree). But anyway....now they're 15...and he's "cool"?
Good grief. Is that what having young adult children is going to be like? Their sense of humor is twisted, they're quite opinionated (and that isn't necessarily a good thing, I might add, since we often disagree), and getting them to do things my way isn't quite the easy thing it once was.
I long for the days when a trip to Walmart meant $150 in groceries that would last two weeks or more. With a few songs from my daughter thrown in for good measure, a major dash across town to put the food away, dinner, a bath--during which *I* told the funny stories (not Larry), and bedtime by 9pm.
You remember that commercial "It's 10pm, do you know where your kids are?"
Well, it's currently 12:30 am. I know where my kids are. They're home. They're awake....and they're trying to fix me up with Larry the Cable Guy! Oh my.
As I sit here typing, my daughter is sitting on my lovely king-sized bed (which was a post-divorce "To Me, From me, With Love" present. She's got her sponge rollers out and she's putting her hair up ala 1940's style rag-curls. I wish I could figure out how to post pictures on this blog, because I'd love to show you what she looks like at the moment. Of course, I don't think she'd apreciate it. So, in all due time I'll figure out the picture thing and then there'll be illustrations to go along with the stories (which I think always makes a story MUCH better).
So anyway, Larry the Cable Guy just came on TV and she asked me if I would make HIM her "New Dad". OMG....I nearly fell out of my chair. Larry the Cable Guy? Hello?? Does my child think I have no taste in men? Is she trying to tell me something?
I responded that I might consider Ron White, alcoholic that he is, but at least he is tremendously funny, not hard on the eyes, and probably boinkable (well, hopefully, unless the liquor makes that...well, tricky). But Larry the Cable Guy? I don't farking think so, my dear.
Her twin brother heard this conversation and popped in to my room to back her up. WHAT? My son also thinks I have horrible taste in men?
When did this happen? I haven't really dated much since their Dad and I split up. I've kind of been busy....working full time, keeping a home, going from work to children's activities and just generally raising twins single-handedly takes a lot of time and effort. Which leaves very little time for dating and adult fun. I mean, how in the heck do other single moms get remarried and remarried and remarried again? Don't you have to do some dating to make a wedding happen (nevermind 3 or 4 weddings)?? I've always been under that impression. *sigh*
Of course, I don't for a minute think the twinlets were serious about Larry....they couldn't be, could they?
And now that her hair is up in her sponge curlers that make her look like a 1940's pin up girl (think Rosie the Riveter), with a nice little bandana wrapped around her head, she has left her mess on my bed and poppoed on out of my room. Such fun.
And you know what? In just three more school years, the fun will be over. My kids will be old enough to vote! To fly the coop! To live where they want, with whom they want and there won't be anything I can do about! Where has the time gone?
Tonight we were in Walmart. The same Walmart I took the kids to when they were in preschool. I was in the detergent aisle and I heard a little girl sing-songing one aisle over. For some strange reason, I started to cry as the realization that I missed this sound washed over me. Literally, while I stood there and enjoyed a sound that I don't get to hear all that often anymore, I boo-hooed. That sing-song thing little girls do is a sound that used to drive me to distraction when my kids were little and I was rushed and trying to get things bought so we could go home, put it away, cook dinner, take baths and get to bed before 9pm.
And now...I would give anything to have those days back...for just a little while.
I miss my little babies. They're growing up so fast. When they were 4 or 5, Larry the Cable Guy wouldn't have even been remotely interesting to them. They would have said "oh gross Mom", and I would have agreed (well, I still agree). But anyway....now they're 15...and he's "cool"?
Good grief. Is that what having young adult children is going to be like? Their sense of humor is twisted, they're quite opinionated (and that isn't necessarily a good thing, I might add, since we often disagree), and getting them to do things my way isn't quite the easy thing it once was.
I long for the days when a trip to Walmart meant $150 in groceries that would last two weeks or more. With a few songs from my daughter thrown in for good measure, a major dash across town to put the food away, dinner, a bath--during which *I* told the funny stories (not Larry), and bedtime by 9pm.
You remember that commercial "It's 10pm, do you know where your kids are?"
Well, it's currently 12:30 am. I know where my kids are. They're home. They're awake....and they're trying to fix me up with Larry the Cable Guy! Oh my.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Do You Ever Wish Life Had an "Undo" Button?
Have you ever wanted a "do-over" on something in life? You know, like do-overs when we were kids? My goodness, I know I have, more than once. Plenty of times.
An "Undo" button would be SO handy, wouldn't it?
I mean, let's think about this for a minute. Regrets? We wouldn't have any if there was an "Undo" button. We'd just hit "Undo" if we messed up, and fix things right. Sounds like a pretty good deal to me.
As someone who is now on the down-hill slide to the Half Century mark, I've lived life a bit. Sometimes life has lived me.
Regrets? Oh yes, I have a few. "I wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then." Oh yeah, you betchya!
Things I learned while living life or having life live me:
Nag less, say I Love You more. Never let a day go by without those three precious words. You might never get a chance to say them again to the one you love.
Live life as if it's your last day on Earth. It could be.
Choose to be happy, even when its easier to be sad, or worried, or stressed or emotional.
Be grateful for what one has, rather than what one doesn't.
Stop longing for all the things you've lost. If they're meant to be yours, they'll be found again in due time.
Enjoy your children. They grow up way too damned fast.
Every phase of a child's life is *the best* phase.
A shared grilled cheese sandwich and a slobbery toddler hug & kiss is one of the sweetest things life has on offer.
"I Love You, Mommy/Daddy" are the best words ever said. By me to my parents, by my kids to me and their Dad. Even if he can be a bit of a jerk to me, he loves these kids like no father I've ever seen.
My heart bursts with pride when I see the three of them together, and sometimes I even cry when he leaves here with them for "his time". I cry for all the things I feel like I stole from them when I left--because I wasn't able to stay and was too immature to stick it out and do the hard work when things got rough (ie, cheating (him), nagging (me), lack of sleep (both of us), etc.
Sometimes--and it's only fleeting moments anymore, because I pretty much think life has worked out the way it was supposed to. But sometimes--I think I'd "undo" the decision to leave.
I sometimes think, maybe I'd just go back to our little place in Chattanooga where I knew absolutely NOBODY, had two little tiny preemie babies, a stupid 1986 Mustang 5.0 that wouldn't accommodate two baby car seats--which left me housebound with cabin fever and serious postpartum depression, a Sales Manager husband who made good money but was on the road and never home, and when he was home he was "out drinking with his buddies". Yeah, why not? Hmmm. Somehow I don't think that's an "undo" anymore.
I learned over the years that maybe it's better to hold your tongue and speak only kind words, even when the words on the tip of your tongue are bitter and full of contempt.
Encouragement rather than criticism...."Sure, honey, go make that million dollars so we can all live a nice life together. "I know you can do it, honey". Instead of..."Oh great, you're such a dreamer. This is just another one of your get rich quick schemes."
Never cheat. EVER. EVER. EVER. Its never OK to go outside a relationship and start something new with someone else--not until you've ended the first relationship. I learned this personally and quite painfully, but I wasn't the cheater. I don't have it in me to do that to anyone.
Never go to bed mad.
I wish I had said "I'm sorry, I was wrong" when I was wrong. Pride. One of the 7 Deadlies. It'll get you every time. There's a reason God warned us against pride. I've learned that the hard way too. So many times I wish I had an "undo" here.
Never go to bed mad in separate dwellings, it's a LOT harder to say "I'm Sorry, I'm wrong" if you're not face to face.
Always make up. The making up part can be really sweet. The zest of life. And life without the sweetness....is just bitter, lonely and not nearly as rewarding.
And...I could go on, but there is NO "Undo" button. Just regrets and opportunities to learn from them. Sometimes we have the chance to fix things, sometimes we don't. Sometimes we get second chances. And sometimes we don't.
...we always have the choice to learn from our mistakes. That's just gonna have to suffice for an "Undo" button for we mere human beings.
And that's about the size of things. :))
An "Undo" button would be SO handy, wouldn't it?
I mean, let's think about this for a minute. Regrets? We wouldn't have any if there was an "Undo" button. We'd just hit "Undo" if we messed up, and fix things right. Sounds like a pretty good deal to me.
As someone who is now on the down-hill slide to the Half Century mark, I've lived life a bit. Sometimes life has lived me.
Regrets? Oh yes, I have a few. "I wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then." Oh yeah, you betchya!
Things I learned while living life or having life live me:
Nag less, say I Love You more. Never let a day go by without those three precious words. You might never get a chance to say them again to the one you love.
Live life as if it's your last day on Earth. It could be.
Choose to be happy, even when its easier to be sad, or worried, or stressed or emotional.
Be grateful for what one has, rather than what one doesn't.
Stop longing for all the things you've lost. If they're meant to be yours, they'll be found again in due time.
Enjoy your children. They grow up way too damned fast.
Every phase of a child's life is *the best* phase.
A shared grilled cheese sandwich and a slobbery toddler hug & kiss is one of the sweetest things life has on offer.
"I Love You, Mommy/Daddy" are the best words ever said. By me to my parents, by my kids to me and their Dad. Even if he can be a bit of a jerk to me, he loves these kids like no father I've ever seen.
My heart bursts with pride when I see the three of them together, and sometimes I even cry when he leaves here with them for "his time". I cry for all the things I feel like I stole from them when I left--because I wasn't able to stay and was too immature to stick it out and do the hard work when things got rough (ie, cheating (him), nagging (me), lack of sleep (both of us), etc.
Sometimes--and it's only fleeting moments anymore, because I pretty much think life has worked out the way it was supposed to. But sometimes--I think I'd "undo" the decision to leave.
I sometimes think, maybe I'd just go back to our little place in Chattanooga where I knew absolutely NOBODY, had two little tiny preemie babies, a stupid 1986 Mustang 5.0 that wouldn't accommodate two baby car seats--which left me housebound with cabin fever and serious postpartum depression, a Sales Manager husband who made good money but was on the road and never home, and when he was home he was "out drinking with his buddies". Yeah, why not? Hmmm. Somehow I don't think that's an "undo" anymore.
I learned over the years that maybe it's better to hold your tongue and speak only kind words, even when the words on the tip of your tongue are bitter and full of contempt.
Encouragement rather than criticism...."Sure, honey, go make that million dollars so we can all live a nice life together. "I know you can do it, honey". Instead of..."Oh great, you're such a dreamer. This is just another one of your get rich quick schemes."
Never cheat. EVER. EVER. EVER. Its never OK to go outside a relationship and start something new with someone else--not until you've ended the first relationship. I learned this personally and quite painfully, but I wasn't the cheater. I don't have it in me to do that to anyone.
Never go to bed mad.
I wish I had said "I'm sorry, I was wrong" when I was wrong. Pride. One of the 7 Deadlies. It'll get you every time. There's a reason God warned us against pride. I've learned that the hard way too. So many times I wish I had an "undo" here.
Never go to bed mad in separate dwellings, it's a LOT harder to say "I'm Sorry, I'm wrong" if you're not face to face.
Always make up. The making up part can be really sweet. The zest of life. And life without the sweetness....is just bitter, lonely and not nearly as rewarding.
And...I could go on, but there is NO "Undo" button. Just regrets and opportunities to learn from them. Sometimes we have the chance to fix things, sometimes we don't. Sometimes we get second chances. And sometimes we don't.
...we always have the choice to learn from our mistakes. That's just gonna have to suffice for an "Undo" button for we mere human beings.
And that's about the size of things. :))
Sunday, June 6, 2010
The Year 2000, According to Lewis M. Grizzard, Jr.
Lewis didn't live to see the year 2000.
It seems so sad that he died in 1994, he was only 47 years old. That's not even a life half lived, in my humble opinion. Though he *did* pack in a LOT of living in those 47 years.
In 1994, society was just on the cusp of so many advancements (both good and bad). When Lewis died, Bill Clinton was still President. The World Trade Center still stood, and we hadn't lost 3,000 Americans to terrorist on American soil. Osama Bin Ladin wasn't a household name. Saddam Hussein was still crazy. Still killing his countrymen and threatening the rest of the world with his insanity. The Internet wasn't mainstream--it was the land of the geek, gas didn't cost nearly $3.00/gallon, and America wasn't still at war--with a new President who is on the "2010 World Apology Tour".
I just discovered this column by Lewis and thought it worthy of dusting off. Hope you don't mind. I think he wasn't too far off in his predictions....he made these predictions 12 years before the turn of the century.
Had he lived to the year 2000...I have no doubt he'd be raising hell about Terrorists, Obama, Liberals, Stupidity, GA Tech, grieving the loss of UGA, computers, and...Yankees living in Atlanta telling us "that's not how we do it back home". Delta is ready when you are.... :))
Damn straight, Lewis! Damn straight!
http://www.lewisgrizzard.com/archive_frame.htm
Life in the Year 2000
by Lewis Grizzard
Ever since the 1980's began, I've been counting down to the new century.
According to my latest calculations, the year 2000 should be here in slightly less than twelve years.
I don't know about anybody else, but I am glad I've got a shot at living to see a turn of the century.
According to further calculations, there's only been nineteen of those so far. Not everybody gets a chance to witness such a momentous occasion.
IF I make it to 2000, I'll be fifty-three. That's not nearly as old as I once thought it was. I might still have enough left in me by then to throw a giant turn-of-the-century party at my condo on the moon, where some developer no doubt will have built a golf course.
I've also been considering what problems we might encounter when the new century arrives.
I can't think of how we're going to say "2000" in regard, say to the World Series.
This year we will say, "Welcome to the 1989 World Series."
Somehow, however, I can't come to grips with "Welcome to the 2000 World Series."
It seems awkward and cumbersome to say that, and the only other time there was such a problem was in the year 1000, when there was no baseball.
And think about checks. All our lives, we would have written checks with the little "19" up where you fill in the year in which you are writing the check.
Twelve years from now, you'll pull out a check and there will be a little "20" up there in the corner.
Then, again, there probably won't be any checks by the year 2000. You'll have your own computer that is hooked into the bank and you'll simply punch in the amount of you withdrawal and the bank will put your money in a tube that leads directly to your house.
The only real problem will be learning to count in yen.
Think of the state of things by the year 2000.
� Somebody will have figured out by then how to make a commercial airliner go five thousand miles per hour. Of course, it will still take forty-five minutes to get the plane from its gate to its takeoff position.
� It will have been determined that heavy exercise, like jogging and aerobics, causes flat feet, hepatitis, and acne.
� The Wall Street Journal will have run a photo on page one; and USA Today will have printed an article with more than eleven sentences, three compound.
� Dentists will have figured out how to fill your teeth using a laser beam rather than a drill. It will cost twenty-seven times more to have a tooth filled, nullifying any loss of pain.
� McDonald's will be selling goat sandwiches.
� Everybody will have seen every episode of M*A*S*H SIX HUNDRED TIMES.
� The federal deficit will be so large by then, we will have to sell off North Dakota, Montana, and that silly-looking top part of Idaho to the Canadians.
� Dogs will be able to talk. They will say, "I've always enjoyed Alpo, but it gives me gas."
� Elvis will still be dead.
� So will the Atlanta Falcons.
It seems so sad that he died in 1994, he was only 47 years old. That's not even a life half lived, in my humble opinion. Though he *did* pack in a LOT of living in those 47 years.
In 1994, society was just on the cusp of so many advancements (both good and bad). When Lewis died, Bill Clinton was still President. The World Trade Center still stood, and we hadn't lost 3,000 Americans to terrorist on American soil. Osama Bin Ladin wasn't a household name. Saddam Hussein was still crazy. Still killing his countrymen and threatening the rest of the world with his insanity. The Internet wasn't mainstream--it was the land of the geek, gas didn't cost nearly $3.00/gallon, and America wasn't still at war--with a new President who is on the "2010 World Apology Tour".
I just discovered this column by Lewis and thought it worthy of dusting off. Hope you don't mind. I think he wasn't too far off in his predictions....he made these predictions 12 years before the turn of the century.
Had he lived to the year 2000...I have no doubt he'd be raising hell about Terrorists, Obama, Liberals, Stupidity, GA Tech, grieving the loss of UGA, computers, and...Yankees living in Atlanta telling us "that's not how we do it back home". Delta is ready when you are.... :))
Damn straight, Lewis! Damn straight!
http://www.lewisgrizzard.com/archive_frame.htm
Life in the Year 2000
by Lewis Grizzard
Ever since the 1980's began, I've been counting down to the new century.
According to my latest calculations, the year 2000 should be here in slightly less than twelve years.
I don't know about anybody else, but I am glad I've got a shot at living to see a turn of the century.
According to further calculations, there's only been nineteen of those so far. Not everybody gets a chance to witness such a momentous occasion.
IF I make it to 2000, I'll be fifty-three. That's not nearly as old as I once thought it was. I might still have enough left in me by then to throw a giant turn-of-the-century party at my condo on the moon, where some developer no doubt will have built a golf course.
I've also been considering what problems we might encounter when the new century arrives.
I can't think of how we're going to say "2000" in regard, say to the World Series.
This year we will say, "Welcome to the 1989 World Series."
Somehow, however, I can't come to grips with "Welcome to the 2000 World Series."
It seems awkward and cumbersome to say that, and the only other time there was such a problem was in the year 1000, when there was no baseball.
And think about checks. All our lives, we would have written checks with the little "19" up where you fill in the year in which you are writing the check.
Twelve years from now, you'll pull out a check and there will be a little "20" up there in the corner.
Then, again, there probably won't be any checks by the year 2000. You'll have your own computer that is hooked into the bank and you'll simply punch in the amount of you withdrawal and the bank will put your money in a tube that leads directly to your house.
The only real problem will be learning to count in yen.
Think of the state of things by the year 2000.
� Somebody will have figured out by then how to make a commercial airliner go five thousand miles per hour. Of course, it will still take forty-five minutes to get the plane from its gate to its takeoff position.
� It will have been determined that heavy exercise, like jogging and aerobics, causes flat feet, hepatitis, and acne.
� The Wall Street Journal will have run a photo on page one; and USA Today will have printed an article with more than eleven sentences, three compound.
� Dentists will have figured out how to fill your teeth using a laser beam rather than a drill. It will cost twenty-seven times more to have a tooth filled, nullifying any loss of pain.
� McDonald's will be selling goat sandwiches.
� Everybody will have seen every episode of M*A*S*H SIX HUNDRED TIMES.
� The federal deficit will be so large by then, we will have to sell off North Dakota, Montana, and that silly-looking top part of Idaho to the Canadians.
� Dogs will be able to talk. They will say, "I've always enjoyed Alpo, but it gives me gas."
� Elvis will still be dead.
� So will the Atlanta Falcons.
Amateur (Ham) Radio License?
Both of my parents are Ham Radio operators. I grew up with early morning/late night CQ being called by my Dad. I recall Dad paying attention to the weather forecast, sunspot activity, the atmosphere, bouncing signals and chatter.
CQ, CQ, CQ...calling CQ. That was my lullaby many a hot summer night...
I have so many happy memories associated with the sound of Dad downstairs calling CQ, listening to him tapping out Morse code, tune his rig, calling CQ, going outside to mess with his antenna, calling CQ and then finally laughing a really hearty big old bear laugh when an English speaking person in Kuala Lampur or some other exotic locale on this great planet Earth responded to him. I would listen to their chatter, not always understanding the lingo, but somehow some of it must have sunk in.
Many of my parents friends were Ham operators, and they frequently visited our house. Some of them I never even knew had real names...I only knew them by their call signs. CMD. YGG. BZU. (said "bazoo"). Some of their "names" are lost to my middle aged brain...but what fun these people were. They were an eclectic group of hippies, entrepreneurs, nerds, weirdos and normal blue-collar workers. There's even a millionaire in there whose name would be known to quite a few people for an invention he created that allows me now to type this post! And he sat at my childhood dinner table more than once! :))
At any rate, I've recently gotten back in touch with a couple of the Hams from those days and I have been challenged to sit for my Amateur Radio License. So...I went to www.qrz.com last night to take a practice test. I thought what the heck...it can't hurt. So I took the first 5 tests for Technician and my overall score was around 71%. Not too bad for someone who never studied for the test. Never really had interest in it to be honest, but a challenge is a challenge.
I suspect I learned a lot more than anyone would have thought during those late nights listening to Dad call CQ or listening to him and Mom have "ham" conversations with their friends. I soaked up something...because I understood all of the FCC rules questions, and a good deal of the theory and electronics. I was quite impressed with myself. But....I need to study now, because 71% isn't going to land my Technician license.
So, this is now a goal I've set for myself. My friend HGO said if I get my license, he'll loan me a radio (because one of those gizmos is certainly NOT in my budget). I suspect it would surprise the heck out of my Dad if I made contact with him under my own call sign, and make him darn proud too. Probably surprise a few of the other old timer Hams who know me too, like CMD, and especially IZR and UKW.
So, a challenge is a challenge. A goal is a goal. Before the end of this year, I intend to have my Amateur radio operators license.
Wish me luck. This is for my Dad...hope it makes you proud Daddy.
I love you! :))
CQ, CQ, CQ...calling CQ. That was my lullaby many a hot summer night...
I have so many happy memories associated with the sound of Dad downstairs calling CQ, listening to him tapping out Morse code, tune his rig, calling CQ, going outside to mess with his antenna, calling CQ and then finally laughing a really hearty big old bear laugh when an English speaking person in Kuala Lampur or some other exotic locale on this great planet Earth responded to him. I would listen to their chatter, not always understanding the lingo, but somehow some of it must have sunk in.
Many of my parents friends were Ham operators, and they frequently visited our house. Some of them I never even knew had real names...I only knew them by their call signs. CMD. YGG. BZU. (said "bazoo"). Some of their "names" are lost to my middle aged brain...but what fun these people were. They were an eclectic group of hippies, entrepreneurs, nerds, weirdos and normal blue-collar workers. There's even a millionaire in there whose name would be known to quite a few people for an invention he created that allows me now to type this post! And he sat at my childhood dinner table more than once! :))
At any rate, I've recently gotten back in touch with a couple of the Hams from those days and I have been challenged to sit for my Amateur Radio License. So...I went to www.qrz.com last night to take a practice test. I thought what the heck...it can't hurt. So I took the first 5 tests for Technician and my overall score was around 71%. Not too bad for someone who never studied for the test. Never really had interest in it to be honest, but a challenge is a challenge.
I suspect I learned a lot more than anyone would have thought during those late nights listening to Dad call CQ or listening to him and Mom have "ham" conversations with their friends. I soaked up something...because I understood all of the FCC rules questions, and a good deal of the theory and electronics. I was quite impressed with myself. But....I need to study now, because 71% isn't going to land my Technician license.
So, this is now a goal I've set for myself. My friend HGO said if I get my license, he'll loan me a radio (because one of those gizmos is certainly NOT in my budget). I suspect it would surprise the heck out of my Dad if I made contact with him under my own call sign, and make him darn proud too. Probably surprise a few of the other old timer Hams who know me too, like CMD, and especially IZR and UKW.
So, a challenge is a challenge. A goal is a goal. Before the end of this year, I intend to have my Amateur radio operators license.
Wish me luck. This is for my Dad...hope it makes you proud Daddy.
I love you! :))
Saturday, June 5, 2010
FO's, the Varsity and Police Cars
The title sounds a lot more exciting than the reality! :)
Last Wednesday I spent the day with the brother of my 1st love. He and I have always been good good friends going way back 30 years or so. We used to go off and do things without his brother, even when his brother and I were together.
I'd forgotten how much fun we had together. But we had a blast! FO's are a frozen adult beverage the brother and his friends have concocted. They're frozen orange drink plus tequila. We were gonna drink a few, but ran out of time. Oh well, another day. Maybe when the brother is in town.
So we had to take care of a little financial matter for me before 4pm. We did that. Then we went over to the Varsity Jr and had dinner. Two nekkid dogs (said the way Lewis Grizzard said Ne-kk-id. Nekkid.), O-rings and a Coke for me. And God only knows what the brother had. Something about steak and chili and hot dogs and onions. All I know is he must have a cast iron stomach, because that meal would have left me debilitated for weeks.
After we ate, we decided to go kick tires at some car dealers. Now THAT was fun! First stop was the Ford dealer near Town Center. Our salesman assumed I was the wife, he was the husband and he had plenty of money to burn on a 50th birthday present for me. HAH!!!!!!!!
I sat in very expensives cars and said...."Oh, I like this one"....or "No, I don't think so", or "How much is that one?", meanwhile the brother was asking the guy to pull the hoods, fetch keys, start 'em up....the whole works. ROFL. At the end of the Ford visit, we walked away with handshakes and a business card. Poor guy.
Then we went to the Kia Dealership....and the brother's dream car was the very first thing we saw there. Spent quite some time on that one. It was a 2005 police cruiser that has been made street legal for a citizen to drive. Right up the Bro's alley, since he is an amateur radio operator and it's all wired and ready for his radio gear and antennae to be mounted. We took it for a cruise---the air blew so cold I had to close the vents. It only had 40,000 miles on it. I could tell the Bro really liked this car. I told him to get it if he really wanted it....you shoulda seen the sales guy's eyes. PERMISSION FROM THE WIFE....A CONTRACT....I WILL EAT. HAH! Nope. We walked away with a handshake and a business card. Again.
Then we went over to the CarMax. THIS IS FUN! I am treated SO much better by car salesmen when I go with a man, than when I go by myself. It kills me. When I have a "husband" with me, they kiss my ass. When I go as a single, independent woman, they treat me like I am mentally impaired and have several learning disorders to go with it.
WTH? When I look at cars with a man, I have the checkbook, all the money and power? When I look at cars my myself, I'm retarded? HULLOOOOOOOO????????
At any rate, while we were at CarMax we couldn't find anything we were really interested in and they were trying to give us the bums rush anyway, because it was nearly 9pm and they didn't want to stay til 10 to write a contract that couldn't go through until the next day anyway. So....we left, and then a huge storm blew through. Went to the convenience store, loaded up on junk food and sodas, then Bro dropped me at home.
It was an awesome day and I was grateful for the chance to get out of my apartment and do something fun with an old and very dear friend of mine! The Old (as in former) Love arrives on July 9th. I'm planning to go with Bro to the airport. We'll see what happens from there.
I have no illusions we'll pick up where we left off 25 or so years ago, not that I am opposed, because I'm not. I just don't have any pre-conceived ideas about him or his visit. To be honest, I never thought I'd see him again because he lives so far away, so I am excited about this chance to spend a little time with him. If nothing else, we can put old hurts to bed and perhaps strike a friendship that will see us well into old age.
Or perhaps, we'll find out where there's smoke, there's fire? It's happened to others...why not us? We've both grown up, we're parents, we're adults and though we're older, there's no reason we can't have a bit of romance in our lives. Afterall, we're both just a little bit older, we're not dead. Just apparently "Two Quarts Low". . .
I wonder what Lewis Grizzard would have to say about this situation?
Jeny
Last Wednesday I spent the day with the brother of my 1st love. He and I have always been good good friends going way back 30 years or so. We used to go off and do things without his brother, even when his brother and I were together.
I'd forgotten how much fun we had together. But we had a blast! FO's are a frozen adult beverage the brother and his friends have concocted. They're frozen orange drink plus tequila. We were gonna drink a few, but ran out of time. Oh well, another day. Maybe when the brother is in town.
So we had to take care of a little financial matter for me before 4pm. We did that. Then we went over to the Varsity Jr and had dinner. Two nekkid dogs (said the way Lewis Grizzard said Ne-kk-id. Nekkid.), O-rings and a Coke for me. And God only knows what the brother had. Something about steak and chili and hot dogs and onions. All I know is he must have a cast iron stomach, because that meal would have left me debilitated for weeks.
After we ate, we decided to go kick tires at some car dealers. Now THAT was fun! First stop was the Ford dealer near Town Center. Our salesman assumed I was the wife, he was the husband and he had plenty of money to burn on a 50th birthday present for me. HAH!!!!!!!!
I sat in very expensives cars and said...."Oh, I like this one"....or "No, I don't think so", or "How much is that one?", meanwhile the brother was asking the guy to pull the hoods, fetch keys, start 'em up....the whole works. ROFL. At the end of the Ford visit, we walked away with handshakes and a business card. Poor guy.
Then we went to the Kia Dealership....and the brother's dream car was the very first thing we saw there. Spent quite some time on that one. It was a 2005 police cruiser that has been made street legal for a citizen to drive. Right up the Bro's alley, since he is an amateur radio operator and it's all wired and ready for his radio gear and antennae to be mounted. We took it for a cruise---the air blew so cold I had to close the vents. It only had 40,000 miles on it. I could tell the Bro really liked this car. I told him to get it if he really wanted it....you shoulda seen the sales guy's eyes. PERMISSION FROM THE WIFE....A CONTRACT....I WILL EAT. HAH! Nope. We walked away with a handshake and a business card. Again.
Then we went over to the CarMax. THIS IS FUN! I am treated SO much better by car salesmen when I go with a man, than when I go by myself. It kills me. When I have a "husband" with me, they kiss my ass. When I go as a single, independent woman, they treat me like I am mentally impaired and have several learning disorders to go with it.
WTH? When I look at cars with a man, I have the checkbook, all the money and power? When I look at cars my myself, I'm retarded? HULLOOOOOOOO????????
At any rate, while we were at CarMax we couldn't find anything we were really interested in and they were trying to give us the bums rush anyway, because it was nearly 9pm and they didn't want to stay til 10 to write a contract that couldn't go through until the next day anyway. So....we left, and then a huge storm blew through. Went to the convenience store, loaded up on junk food and sodas, then Bro dropped me at home.
It was an awesome day and I was grateful for the chance to get out of my apartment and do something fun with an old and very dear friend of mine! The Old (as in former) Love arrives on July 9th. I'm planning to go with Bro to the airport. We'll see what happens from there.
I have no illusions we'll pick up where we left off 25 or so years ago, not that I am opposed, because I'm not. I just don't have any pre-conceived ideas about him or his visit. To be honest, I never thought I'd see him again because he lives so far away, so I am excited about this chance to spend a little time with him. If nothing else, we can put old hurts to bed and perhaps strike a friendship that will see us well into old age.
Or perhaps, we'll find out where there's smoke, there's fire? It's happened to others...why not us? We've both grown up, we're parents, we're adults and though we're older, there's no reason we can't have a bit of romance in our lives. Afterall, we're both just a little bit older, we're not dead. Just apparently "Two Quarts Low". . .
I wonder what Lewis Grizzard would have to say about this situation?
Jeny
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
What Would Lewis Grizzard Do?
Anyone remember good ole Lewis Grizzard? If you're from the Southern US, as I am, then you no doubt know about the man who wrote the book "She Tore My Heart Out and Stomped that Sucker Flat" and "If Love Were Oil, I'd be About Two Quarts Low".
God, how I miss that man's commentary. On everything. We were blessed with his presence on this earth for such a short short time, and yet he left behind a huge body of work for generations to come. Full of wisdom and down home truths, lots of funnies, and....if you knew Atlanta and the politics of the day, you even got a dose of some of the illuminaries of his time. Furman Bisher was one of his faves. If you're too young to remember either of them, look them up.
In a way, Lewis had a lot in common with Erma Bombeck (look her up too, she was darned funny). I wish I had both of their ascerbic wit. I always think of *just the right thing to say* about an hour after I had the chance to say it. This never happened to Lewis or Erma! And I always cuss myself when it happens to me!
So anyway, on my FB page tonight someone mentioned Lewis and I found myself wondering what he'd have to say about laptop computers, flat screen TVs, fax machines, smartphones, the internet and so many other things he missed because he died before they were invented or before they became mainstream.
He really missed out on the advances of society. Texting and driving. Having a phone with you at all times, never escaping work (or anyone else for that matter). GPS units...the man never would have gotten lost (and he might have missed a few funny stories too).
What WOULD our dear Lewis Grizzard say about today's high-tech life??
God Bless you, Lewis. Wherever you are! You are missed dearly.
God, how I miss that man's commentary. On everything. We were blessed with his presence on this earth for such a short short time, and yet he left behind a huge body of work for generations to come. Full of wisdom and down home truths, lots of funnies, and....if you knew Atlanta and the politics of the day, you even got a dose of some of the illuminaries of his time. Furman Bisher was one of his faves. If you're too young to remember either of them, look them up.
In a way, Lewis had a lot in common with Erma Bombeck (look her up too, she was darned funny). I wish I had both of their ascerbic wit. I always think of *just the right thing to say* about an hour after I had the chance to say it. This never happened to Lewis or Erma! And I always cuss myself when it happens to me!
So anyway, on my FB page tonight someone mentioned Lewis and I found myself wondering what he'd have to say about laptop computers, flat screen TVs, fax machines, smartphones, the internet and so many other things he missed because he died before they were invented or before they became mainstream.
He really missed out on the advances of society. Texting and driving. Having a phone with you at all times, never escaping work (or anyone else for that matter). GPS units...the man never would have gotten lost (and he might have missed a few funny stories too).
What WOULD our dear Lewis Grizzard say about today's high-tech life??
God Bless you, Lewis. Wherever you are! You are missed dearly.
Lewis McDonald Grizzard, Jr. (October 20, 1946 - March 20, 1994) was an American writer and humorist, known for his Southern demeanor and commentary on the American South. Although he spent his early career as a newspaper sports writer and editor, becoming the sports editor of the Atlanta Journal at age 23, he is much better known for his humorous newspaper columns in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He was also a popular stand-up comedian & lecturer.
The...first love...
You remember that first love? The person you thought you could never live without? That if they left, you'd actually die?
Seems we all have one, and most people end up finding out that they don't die if that person is no longer in their life. Some people are lucky and get to marry and live their lives with that person--I sometimes envy them. And sometimes I'm glad that my first love moved on, married someone else and had a family. He grew up. He probably wouldn't have had we stayed together.
And I grew up too...something I might not have done either had we stayed together. It took me a while after he left to pull myself together. I was sad beyond words, and many a night I prayed I would die, but I kept on waking up, so I knew I had no choice but to put my life back together. And so I did. I packed my stuff up and moved to a brand new apartment, in another part of town where I knew absolutely no one and where it was very unlikely I would bump into anyone who knew "us".
I sold my car and bought myself a Mustang. A fast one. I got a new job, working with new people, doing something new. And while working I met....my (one day to be) ex husband. We were friends for years before we ever became involved. Namely because he was already married to #1.
I became #2 after she threw him out and asked for a divorce. Initially I just felt sorry for my old buddy, and so we spent time drinking beer, hanging out and patching up his broken heart for what it was worth. Somehow eventually we became a couple. I don't exactly recall how that happened or whose idea it was, but it seemed OK to me. He was my best guy friend in the whole world and I trusted he wouldn't break my heart like my first love did. He had been there to help me through the aftermath of those troubled times when I didn't think I could go on again. He was around when I bought the mustang and moved miles away from "home", just so I didn't have to run into our friends. He saw the wreckage that I was and that my first love caused, so I knew he wouldn't do that me. But, yet he did. And what sucked was I couldn't go to my best friend and tell him about the newest bastard that broke my heart--because *he* was that bastard.
At any rate he broke my heart, but not before we had a set of beautiful boy/girl twins to add to his 7 year old daughter and 6 year old son (who are now 22 and 21 years old). For a short time, anyway, I had the family I always dreamt of. I am called "Udder Mudder" by the steps, and could't possibly love them more than my own blood children.
So now I am tied to the father of these four amazing children for the rest of my life. Most of the time he hates me, but of course he hates wife #1 and #3 also, so as #2 I am in good company. Most of the time I am indifferent to him--unless he is trying to actively turn my kids against me or trash talk me in front of them or on their phones in text message, then I take great umbrage. Who wouldn't?
I have spent the last 15 years raising our twins, at the expense of having a life of my own. I put everything I had into raising thees kids--my heart, soul, blood, sweat, tears, finances, IRA, 401(k), my cars, everything. I have nothing now in the way of material goods, it's all been spent on the kids when Dad couldn't bother to send child support or buy a Christmas Card or Birthday card for the kids.
But back to the wreckage of my life--I have few (real) friends. Yes, I know Moms of my kids friends and Moms on this committee or that, but they're not really true friends. They're acquaintances. And somehow my real friends from years ago have fallen by the wayside and I can't even get in touch with some of them. And that includes dating too. Who has time to date when you're raising kids? I haven't. That's not to say I haven't gone out on a date or two over the years, but darned few guys were as much fun to spend time with as my kids. And the only one I ever liked enough to even consider a relationship of any sort wanted nothing to do with being tied down.
Which leaves me in my 40's and single....and guess who will be coming to town soon? Yes. The (now) divorced (for 4 years) first love. He wants to see me when he comes to town. You know, I had to really think about that. Did I really want to open that can of worms? Or not?
I've got a about a month before he's here. I'm in touch with his brother (who has always been a good friend to me, in fact just got off the phone with him). So who's to know what the future holds? I may see him, I may not. There may be time, or may not be time. Life is strange and fickle, and nobody knows whats ahead.
So I'm just going to go with the flow and see what happens! Anything's possible...or not.
Jeny
Seems we all have one, and most people end up finding out that they don't die if that person is no longer in their life. Some people are lucky and get to marry and live their lives with that person--I sometimes envy them. And sometimes I'm glad that my first love moved on, married someone else and had a family. He grew up. He probably wouldn't have had we stayed together.
And I grew up too...something I might not have done either had we stayed together. It took me a while after he left to pull myself together. I was sad beyond words, and many a night I prayed I would die, but I kept on waking up, so I knew I had no choice but to put my life back together. And so I did. I packed my stuff up and moved to a brand new apartment, in another part of town where I knew absolutely no one and where it was very unlikely I would bump into anyone who knew "us".
I sold my car and bought myself a Mustang. A fast one. I got a new job, working with new people, doing something new. And while working I met....my (one day to be) ex husband. We were friends for years before we ever became involved. Namely because he was already married to #1.
I became #2 after she threw him out and asked for a divorce. Initially I just felt sorry for my old buddy, and so we spent time drinking beer, hanging out and patching up his broken heart for what it was worth. Somehow eventually we became a couple. I don't exactly recall how that happened or whose idea it was, but it seemed OK to me. He was my best guy friend in the whole world and I trusted he wouldn't break my heart like my first love did. He had been there to help me through the aftermath of those troubled times when I didn't think I could go on again. He was around when I bought the mustang and moved miles away from "home", just so I didn't have to run into our friends. He saw the wreckage that I was and that my first love caused, so I knew he wouldn't do that me. But, yet he did. And what sucked was I couldn't go to my best friend and tell him about the newest bastard that broke my heart--because *he* was that bastard.
At any rate he broke my heart, but not before we had a set of beautiful boy/girl twins to add to his 7 year old daughter and 6 year old son (who are now 22 and 21 years old). For a short time, anyway, I had the family I always dreamt of. I am called "Udder Mudder" by the steps, and could't possibly love them more than my own blood children.
So now I am tied to the father of these four amazing children for the rest of my life. Most of the time he hates me, but of course he hates wife #1 and #3 also, so as #2 I am in good company. Most of the time I am indifferent to him--unless he is trying to actively turn my kids against me or trash talk me in front of them or on their phones in text message, then I take great umbrage. Who wouldn't?
I have spent the last 15 years raising our twins, at the expense of having a life of my own. I put everything I had into raising thees kids--my heart, soul, blood, sweat, tears, finances, IRA, 401(k), my cars, everything. I have nothing now in the way of material goods, it's all been spent on the kids when Dad couldn't bother to send child support or buy a Christmas Card or Birthday card for the kids.
But back to the wreckage of my life--I have few (real) friends. Yes, I know Moms of my kids friends and Moms on this committee or that, but they're not really true friends. They're acquaintances. And somehow my real friends from years ago have fallen by the wayside and I can't even get in touch with some of them. And that includes dating too. Who has time to date when you're raising kids? I haven't. That's not to say I haven't gone out on a date or two over the years, but darned few guys were as much fun to spend time with as my kids. And the only one I ever liked enough to even consider a relationship of any sort wanted nothing to do with being tied down.
Which leaves me in my 40's and single....and guess who will be coming to town soon? Yes. The (now) divorced (for 4 years) first love. He wants to see me when he comes to town. You know, I had to really think about that. Did I really want to open that can of worms? Or not?
I've got a about a month before he's here. I'm in touch with his brother (who has always been a good friend to me, in fact just got off the phone with him). So who's to know what the future holds? I may see him, I may not. There may be time, or may not be time. Life is strange and fickle, and nobody knows whats ahead.
So I'm just going to go with the flow and see what happens! Anything's possible...or not.
Jeny
Happy Day....
Oh, happy day! I have a job interview that would be quite the answer to my pryaers. It's not the most prestigious job, it doesn't pay much, but it will provide a roof over my kids heads (literally), food on the table and enable me to save money to buy another car. The nice part? The commute. About 150 yards from our apartment. Apparently our new complex manager is looking for someone to help her run the complex--right up my alley, as I've done this kind of work before, although its been a few years. But I'm sure its like riding a bike--it will come back to me quickly!
We've been casually talking about this for the past week, but she's SO busy she hasn't had the time to sit down with me and talk to me at length. I talked with her Friday, May 28th and she told me she'd pulled my online application and that I am the top of her list and we would meet this week. So, I called her at 9:05 this morning (before it got crazy in the office) and set a date and time on her calendar. I told her I WANT THE JOB, I WANT TO WORK FOR HER (and I actually really do). So the interview is set for Thursday at 10:30 am. Prayers, requests to your Higher Power, or whatever it is you do in times such as this would be most welcome.
A job so close to home, which would include housing as part of my compensation package, in addition to a small salary, would be THE best way to go! I'm so excited!! I'm feeling hopeful today, but don't want to get ahead of myself. Anytime I see light at the end of the tunnel lately, it's always that damned train gunning to run me down.
*giggle* Life is good.
Jeny
We've been casually talking about this for the past week, but she's SO busy she hasn't had the time to sit down with me and talk to me at length. I talked with her Friday, May 28th and she told me she'd pulled my online application and that I am the top of her list and we would meet this week. So, I called her at 9:05 this morning (before it got crazy in the office) and set a date and time on her calendar. I told her I WANT THE JOB, I WANT TO WORK FOR HER (and I actually really do). So the interview is set for Thursday at 10:30 am. Prayers, requests to your Higher Power, or whatever it is you do in times such as this would be most welcome.
A job so close to home, which would include housing as part of my compensation package, in addition to a small salary, would be THE best way to go! I'm so excited!! I'm feeling hopeful today, but don't want to get ahead of myself. Anytime I see light at the end of the tunnel lately, it's always that damned train gunning to run me down.
*giggle* Life is good.
Jeny
Monday, May 31, 2010
Thinking, thinking, thinking...
One of the really big things I want to do on my bucket list is something out of the ordinary, something totally out of character for me, something so different that others actually notice it.
But what? I can't sell my life--the life I had is gone and the life I have now isn't worth a plug nickel (at least I wouldn't pay one red cent for it, aside from my kids and our critters).
So, what to do? I have rent, bills, the works to pay. No special talents. No money in the bank or anything worth selling to raise cash to do anything noteworthy. I'd have to win the lottery to come up with the cash I'd need to change things up and do something quite out of the ordinary.
So, I'm thinking, thinking, thinking....what is it can I do? Don't worry if I don't blog in the next few days, I'm thinking. Of course, I also reserve the right to blog again in 5 minutes. I *am* a woman, afterall. ;)
Nite to all of my followers! (all one of them....me...and its bedtime)! :)
Jeny
But what? I can't sell my life--the life I had is gone and the life I have now isn't worth a plug nickel (at least I wouldn't pay one red cent for it, aside from my kids and our critters).
So, what to do? I have rent, bills, the works to pay. No special talents. No money in the bank or anything worth selling to raise cash to do anything noteworthy. I'd have to win the lottery to come up with the cash I'd need to change things up and do something quite out of the ordinary.
So, I'm thinking, thinking, thinking....what is it can I do? Don't worry if I don't blog in the next few days, I'm thinking. Of course, I also reserve the right to blog again in 5 minutes. I *am* a woman, afterall. ;)
Nite to all of my followers! (all one of them....me...and its bedtime)! :)
Jeny
So, about that Bucket List
Some things for my Bucket List (by no means is this list all inclusive, it can be expanded at will).
1. Live through the next 3 school years with minimal eh...eh...um, disagreement with my beautiful dear daughter.
2. Help my kids graduate high school and head into adulthood, happy, healthy and with goals in mind, a road map for where they'd like to head.
3. Move away from Atlanta....somewhere warm, with a small town atmosphere, the ability to make a decent living and put down roots for the balance of my life. I'm thinking somewhere in Texas at the moment, but like a good woman reserve the right to change my mind.
4. Find, fall in love with and marry the man I will grow old with.
5. Become a Grandmother (in all due time) and to spoil my grandchildren (mine, his, ours, whomever they belong to) rotten, then hand 'em back over to their parents when I'm ready for some of Granny's peace and quiet.
6. Visit Australia--for an extended period. At least a month, maybe two or three.
7. Lose the weight that found me the last 5 years or so.
8. Watch the sun rise from a mountain.
9. Watch the sun set in San Diego at the Sunset Cliffs/La Jolla.
10. Visit Galveston, TX
11. Visit Colorado during Snow season.
12. Visit Falls Creek Australia in July.
13. Get my Novice, then Amateur, then Advance Ham Radio license.
14. Finish college (?)
15. Buy a winning lottery ticket--over $100
16. See my first love one more time.
17. Buy the car of my dreams (which at present is anything that drives...lol)
18. Learn to trust
19. Learn to control what I say, how I say it and to whom I say it
20. Live well, forgive often, laugh hard, and love much....
21. Reunite all the estranged or lost bits and pieces of my family...even one lost sheep is one too many.
22. Visit the town in N. Ireland that my family hails from - Enniskillen, Fermanagh, N. Ireland and try to locate as many direct relatives as possible. Which should be about as difficult a task as could be, because the link between Enniskillen and Boston, MASS, USA is broken. I have no clue who in our family was brave enough to leave N. Ireland to come to the shores of Boston and start the American side of the family. No names. No dates. No connection. I would say this is one of my more important bucket list items. God willing, I have enough time and the ability to make this one happen.
That's just off the top of my head. I'm still in a bit of a funk, so I don't know, I may edit, delete, add, subtract or whatever to this list.
Anyone reading? Anyone have Bucket Lists? Suggestions for mine? Hello? Am I talking to myself? (I probably am, and that's OK, because I have 15 year old twins. I'm used to talking to myself or a wall!). ;)
Jeny
1. Live through the next 3 school years with minimal eh...eh...um, disagreement with my beautiful dear daughter.
2. Help my kids graduate high school and head into adulthood, happy, healthy and with goals in mind, a road map for where they'd like to head.
3. Move away from Atlanta....somewhere warm, with a small town atmosphere, the ability to make a decent living and put down roots for the balance of my life. I'm thinking somewhere in Texas at the moment, but like a good woman reserve the right to change my mind.
4. Find, fall in love with and marry the man I will grow old with.
5. Become a Grandmother (in all due time) and to spoil my grandchildren (mine, his, ours, whomever they belong to) rotten, then hand 'em back over to their parents when I'm ready for some of Granny's peace and quiet.
6. Visit Australia--for an extended period. At least a month, maybe two or three.
7. Lose the weight that found me the last 5 years or so.
8. Watch the sun rise from a mountain.
9. Watch the sun set in San Diego at the Sunset Cliffs/La Jolla.
10. Visit Galveston, TX
11. Visit Colorado during Snow season.
12. Visit Falls Creek Australia in July.
13. Get my Novice, then Amateur, then Advance Ham Radio license.
14. Finish college (?)
15. Buy a winning lottery ticket--over $100
16. See my first love one more time.
17. Buy the car of my dreams (which at present is anything that drives...lol)
18. Learn to trust
19. Learn to control what I say, how I say it and to whom I say it
20. Live well, forgive often, laugh hard, and love much....
21. Reunite all the estranged or lost bits and pieces of my family...even one lost sheep is one too many.
22. Visit the town in N. Ireland that my family hails from - Enniskillen, Fermanagh, N. Ireland and try to locate as many direct relatives as possible. Which should be about as difficult a task as could be, because the link between Enniskillen and Boston, MASS, USA is broken. I have no clue who in our family was brave enough to leave N. Ireland to come to the shores of Boston and start the American side of the family. No names. No dates. No connection. I would say this is one of my more important bucket list items. God willing, I have enough time and the ability to make this one happen.
That's just off the top of my head. I'm still in a bit of a funk, so I don't know, I may edit, delete, add, subtract or whatever to this list.
Anyone reading? Anyone have Bucket Lists? Suggestions for mine? Hello? Am I talking to myself? (I probably am, and that's OK, because I have 15 year old twins. I'm used to talking to myself or a wall!). ;)
Jeny
Ever felt like selling your life?
Sooo....Dad picked up the kids, and believe it or not, Dad and I buried the hatchet (not between each other's eyes either). We'll see how long that lasts.
I told him I just wanted peace and no problems and he could bring the kids back Thursday or Friday, that since it's summer I'm pretty loosey-goosey about letting them hang with him. Then....I watched three very important people in my life drive away and leave me in this apartment alone. I came in, locked the door and cried my eyeballs out. And now I feel better.
So, I've been reading about this Australian guy who had marital problems (will not elaborate and who cares anyway?), and decided to sell his life on eBay. And he did it. He sold his house, car, belongings....even his job. Yes! The whole kit-n-kaboodle. This was back in 2008. June 29, 2008 to be exact.
You can check out that project here: www.alife4sale.com
So, what has he done since the day he walked out of his house with his wallet and passport? Read up here: http://www.100goals100weeks.com/index.php
Interesting. If I didn't have kids, I might be tempted to auction my life off too--not that it's worth much these days. I've seen a huge decrease in net-worth during Obama's reign of terror. This time last year I owned a 3bd/2ba home, 2 cars, had a great job and money in the bank. None of those things are listed on my balance sheet today. None. Not one.
Who would pay for my life? Nobody. Im in my 40's, single parent of two great kids, live in a large, older (40 years plus), 3bd/2ba apartment in suburban Atlanta. We killed our 15 year old car in an accident in April. Carried liablity only insurance, as full coverage/collision would have cost more than the car was worth or what I would have been paid by insurance upon a total write off. So....no wheels since April 1, 2009.
So, today, I feel like selling my life. Maybe tomrrow I won't feel that way. The good thing is probably I don't have much worth selling....so that plan's not so feasibile anyway.
Next thing I want to talk about is my Bucket List. Ever since the movie, everyone has one. I've always had one, I just didn't have a name for it other than "Stuff I Want to do Before I Die". I think I like "Bucket List" better. Don't you?
I'll get to that later on...I'm not in a very cheery mood at the moment. I always go through a funk when the kids leave with their Dad. And I'm in a funk!
Here's to talking "Bucket Lists" later. You think about yours while I ponder mine...then lets get busy talking about all the things we'd like to do before we die.
Oh, did I mention I gave the ex a container of "Chock Full o Nuts Coffee" when he left with the kids? I kinda liked that symbolism....though it was lost on his pointy (bald) head. LOL. Probably for the best.
Jeny
I told him I just wanted peace and no problems and he could bring the kids back Thursday or Friday, that since it's summer I'm pretty loosey-goosey about letting them hang with him. Then....I watched three very important people in my life drive away and leave me in this apartment alone. I came in, locked the door and cried my eyeballs out. And now I feel better.
So, I've been reading about this Australian guy who had marital problems (will not elaborate and who cares anyway?), and decided to sell his life on eBay. And he did it. He sold his house, car, belongings....even his job. Yes! The whole kit-n-kaboodle. This was back in 2008. June 29, 2008 to be exact.
You can check out that project here: www.alife4sale.com
So, what has he done since the day he walked out of his house with his wallet and passport? Read up here: http://www.100goals100weeks.com/index.php
Interesting. If I didn't have kids, I might be tempted to auction my life off too--not that it's worth much these days. I've seen a huge decrease in net-worth during Obama's reign of terror. This time last year I owned a 3bd/2ba home, 2 cars, had a great job and money in the bank. None of those things are listed on my balance sheet today. None. Not one.
Who would pay for my life? Nobody. Im in my 40's, single parent of two great kids, live in a large, older (40 years plus), 3bd/2ba apartment in suburban Atlanta. We killed our 15 year old car in an accident in April. Carried liablity only insurance, as full coverage/collision would have cost more than the car was worth or what I would have been paid by insurance upon a total write off. So....no wheels since April 1, 2009.
So, today, I feel like selling my life. Maybe tomrrow I won't feel that way. The good thing is probably I don't have much worth selling....so that plan's not so feasibile anyway.
Next thing I want to talk about is my Bucket List. Ever since the movie, everyone has one. I've always had one, I just didn't have a name for it other than "Stuff I Want to do Before I Die". I think I like "Bucket List" better. Don't you?
I'll get to that later on...I'm not in a very cheery mood at the moment. I always go through a funk when the kids leave with their Dad. And I'm in a funk!
Here's to talking "Bucket Lists" later. You think about yours while I ponder mine...then lets get busy talking about all the things we'd like to do before we die.
Oh, did I mention I gave the ex a container of "Chock Full o Nuts Coffee" when he left with the kids? I kinda liked that symbolism....though it was lost on his pointy (bald) head. LOL. Probably for the best.
Jeny
Ho hum ho hum
Well, its Monday and Memorial Day. Nothing special planned. Hanging around the house, getting kids ready to go spend Tuesday through Thursday or Friday with their Dad (daughter has wrestling camp, Dad has a car, I do not, so he gets 'em by default). Otherwise, I would be doing all the driving.
Although I have Sole Custody of the kids, lately I feel like a visitor in their lives. To put it kindly, their father has never gotten over his anger at me for leaving, and he freely shares his feelings with the kids. Their attitude toward me has changed so much since they began spending a lot of time with thier Dad. I used to write it off to their age (15), but when I pay careful attention to the words of contempt they sometimes use towards me, I hear their father coming out of their mouth. I can't tell you how it breaks my heart, but it does.
For 15 years, I have made sure not to bad mouth their father--no matter how badly he deserved it. I have gone out of my way to foster a relationship between the three. I've never asked for an increase in child support, I've never done anything except take a really sucky situation and try to make the best of it.
And the thanks I get? He trashes me and maligns me to our children, buys them things I couldn't possibly buy for them and holds the whole "I have a car, your Mom doesn't" over their heads....a carrot. "You like me better than your Mom".
This....after *I* have done all the hard work. Took care of them when they were preemie infants, made sure they had the surgeries and medical care they needed, walked the floors with sick kids, paid their bills, kissed their boo-boos, taught them to read, to ride a bike, and basically gave up having a life of my own so that I'd be available to them.
And now....I feel like yesterday's garbage. I get to wash clothes today, and pack for them, and send them off to Disney Daddy. Where he gets all the credit for being wonderful. Where there are no rules. Where it's OK to talk trash about their Mom. Heck, I even get to pay for the phones they use to send unflattering messages about me back and forth. Last time that happened I forwarded a copy to my phone and let Dad know it was unacceptable. That I wasn't going to pay for these phones so he could use them to undermine me with the kids. If he wants to buy and pay for their phones, be my guest, but I'd better not catch that nonsense happening again. So far...it hasn't, but it's only been a couple of weeks.
So...what's he do? He shorted our last child support check by $80. Nice job. That's grocery money for your kids, you doofus! You think you hurt me with that nonsense (and you do), but you HURT THE KIDS WORSE. Just had to tell our son "no money" when he wanted to order a pizza (because the shelves are getting bare). Coulda (and had planned to) buy groceries with that $80. Oh well...now Disney Daddy can spend it on these two bottomless pit teenagers when he picks them up!
I know I'm not the first (or the last) Mom to go through this, but dadgum this stuff hurts. And I'm tired of it.
See, told ya I'm not always funny! :)) My sense of humor will return, though. I promise. Today's just a rough day....
Jeny
Although I have Sole Custody of the kids, lately I feel like a visitor in their lives. To put it kindly, their father has never gotten over his anger at me for leaving, and he freely shares his feelings with the kids. Their attitude toward me has changed so much since they began spending a lot of time with thier Dad. I used to write it off to their age (15), but when I pay careful attention to the words of contempt they sometimes use towards me, I hear their father coming out of their mouth. I can't tell you how it breaks my heart, but it does.
For 15 years, I have made sure not to bad mouth their father--no matter how badly he deserved it. I have gone out of my way to foster a relationship between the three. I've never asked for an increase in child support, I've never done anything except take a really sucky situation and try to make the best of it.
And the thanks I get? He trashes me and maligns me to our children, buys them things I couldn't possibly buy for them and holds the whole "I have a car, your Mom doesn't" over their heads....a carrot. "You like me better than your Mom".
This....after *I* have done all the hard work. Took care of them when they were preemie infants, made sure they had the surgeries and medical care they needed, walked the floors with sick kids, paid their bills, kissed their boo-boos, taught them to read, to ride a bike, and basically gave up having a life of my own so that I'd be available to them.
And now....I feel like yesterday's garbage. I get to wash clothes today, and pack for them, and send them off to Disney Daddy. Where he gets all the credit for being wonderful. Where there are no rules. Where it's OK to talk trash about their Mom. Heck, I even get to pay for the phones they use to send unflattering messages about me back and forth. Last time that happened I forwarded a copy to my phone and let Dad know it was unacceptable. That I wasn't going to pay for these phones so he could use them to undermine me with the kids. If he wants to buy and pay for their phones, be my guest, but I'd better not catch that nonsense happening again. So far...it hasn't, but it's only been a couple of weeks.
So...what's he do? He shorted our last child support check by $80. Nice job. That's grocery money for your kids, you doofus! You think you hurt me with that nonsense (and you do), but you HURT THE KIDS WORSE. Just had to tell our son "no money" when he wanted to order a pizza (because the shelves are getting bare). Coulda (and had planned to) buy groceries with that $80. Oh well...now Disney Daddy can spend it on these two bottomless pit teenagers when he picks them up!
I know I'm not the first (or the last) Mom to go through this, but dadgum this stuff hurts. And I'm tired of it.
See, told ya I'm not always funny! :)) My sense of humor will return, though. I promise. Today's just a rough day....
Jeny
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Does anyone know where my daughter's tweezers are?
Well, I was headed to bed and all, but raise the red flag and sound the alarm! My 15 year old daughter's tweezers are missing and her (already way overplucked eyebrows) just can't wait to be groomed.
So...if you are a borrower (remember that story, "The Borrowers"?) or you've lifted her tweezers for no apprent reason, please return them so that I can go to bed. Mom's tired. Her eyebrows need grooming and she's not in the mood to turn the house upside down so that her mini-me can sit in front of the make up mirror and remove the last few hairs from her eyebrows on a Saturday night.
Whatever happened to coloring books and crayons? When I was 15 and dateless, I spent the night with my best friend and her Mom bought us coloring books and crayons to (annoy us badly) and keep us out of her hair. Funny, though, we actually had a good time coloring and talking! LOL.
Ok. Nite all. Sleep tight....I need my followers (actually I only have 1, me) to be well rested! I'm sure the tweezers will be returned!
Right Saint Anthony? :))
Jeny
So...if you are a borrower (remember that story, "The Borrowers"?) or you've lifted her tweezers for no apprent reason, please return them so that I can go to bed. Mom's tired. Her eyebrows need grooming and she's not in the mood to turn the house upside down so that her mini-me can sit in front of the make up mirror and remove the last few hairs from her eyebrows on a Saturday night.
Whatever happened to coloring books and crayons? When I was 15 and dateless, I spent the night with my best friend and her Mom bought us coloring books and crayons to (annoy us badly) and keep us out of her hair. Funny, though, we actually had a good time coloring and talking! LOL.
Ok. Nite all. Sleep tight....I need my followers (actually I only have 1, me) to be well rested! I'm sure the tweezers will be returned!
Right Saint Anthony? :))
Jeny
No Hot Water!
So yesterday about 3 pm, I decided to heat up something to eat before my twins got home from their Dads (they were with him all week). Click, click....the burner on the gas stove didn't come on. Hmmm. No note on the door saying I'd been disconnected for non-payment. Went out to the meter and sure enough there was a nasty bolt locking my meter up, preventing me from heating water, cooking food, washing clothes....and (GASP) taking a shower (anyone who has teenagers know that this would be the END of the world). So, I call the Gas people to find out what the heck is going on. The CS agent tells me she can find no account for service at my address (huh??). She politely asks me to hold on and of course I say I will.
After an interminable wait and the CS agent calling three different departments with two different companies (Atlanta Gas Light and Gas South), she comes back and tells me that my account had been disconnected and transferred into another person's name with a different provider. (Huh? I never requested this).
So, this being the Memorial Day weekend, and FRIDAY and it's 4:00 pm by this time, I'm growing concerned at the prospect of spending a whole weekend without gas. No cooking, no showers, no laundry (that part would be OK, but not the rest). Gas South has a terrible record of sending technicians out to reconnect service--it usually takes a week to get an "appointment", and that's IF they show up at the "appointment time". *sigh*
Eventually, she tells me there will be someone there by 8pm and to call back by 8pm if nobody shows up. Meantime, she needs to discuss with me the fact that I will now be receiving TWO bills from Gas South. One for my current service and one for service from January through May (you know, since they decided to close my account but leave service turned on). Lovely. Fortunately, it is summer and we don't use a lot of natural gas at thsi time of year, but I am going to have one heck of a humdinger of a gas bill for January through May of this year. Sheesh. Only me.
At any rate, the guy showed up pretty darned quick, turned the gas on. Lit the pilot light on my stove...and then informed me he couldn't light the hot water heater because its not up to code. Lovely.
Ever tried getting a maintenance man at an apartment complex at 4pm on Friday before a holiday weekend? Let me just say I wasn't looking forward to it. So, I trot over to the management office and tell them my tale of woe (which is only one of many tales of woe I am currently managing, but I won't hit you with them all at once, I'm trying to gain readers, not run 'em off).
I will say this....Lynd Property Management have the right attitude....they came right over, fixed things up and had the hot water heater going before my teenagers ever arrived home!
Courtesy of a LOT of nice people, my teens had their nice hot showers and they were none the wiser to the fact their showers were imperiled! Lucky them!
And....there ya go....more junk from my life! He he....wait till I tell you about today. Today...its a doozy. I can't go there yet. Not in writing, at least.
No, I think now its time to take my blood pressure medicine, a benadryl, brush my teeth and head to bed. I've had a nice hot shower already too!
Nite again (to my one and only follower: Me!)
Jeny
After an interminable wait and the CS agent calling three different departments with two different companies (Atlanta Gas Light and Gas South), she comes back and tells me that my account had been disconnected and transferred into another person's name with a different provider. (Huh? I never requested this).
So, this being the Memorial Day weekend, and FRIDAY and it's 4:00 pm by this time, I'm growing concerned at the prospect of spending a whole weekend without gas. No cooking, no showers, no laundry (that part would be OK, but not the rest). Gas South has a terrible record of sending technicians out to reconnect service--it usually takes a week to get an "appointment", and that's IF they show up at the "appointment time". *sigh*
Eventually, she tells me there will be someone there by 8pm and to call back by 8pm if nobody shows up. Meantime, she needs to discuss with me the fact that I will now be receiving TWO bills from Gas South. One for my current service and one for service from January through May (you know, since they decided to close my account but leave service turned on). Lovely. Fortunately, it is summer and we don't use a lot of natural gas at thsi time of year, but I am going to have one heck of a humdinger of a gas bill for January through May of this year. Sheesh. Only me.
At any rate, the guy showed up pretty darned quick, turned the gas on. Lit the pilot light on my stove...and then informed me he couldn't light the hot water heater because its not up to code. Lovely.
Ever tried getting a maintenance man at an apartment complex at 4pm on Friday before a holiday weekend? Let me just say I wasn't looking forward to it. So, I trot over to the management office and tell them my tale of woe (which is only one of many tales of woe I am currently managing, but I won't hit you with them all at once, I'm trying to gain readers, not run 'em off).
I will say this....Lynd Property Management have the right attitude....they came right over, fixed things up and had the hot water heater going before my teenagers ever arrived home!
Courtesy of a LOT of nice people, my teens had their nice hot showers and they were none the wiser to the fact their showers were imperiled! Lucky them!
And....there ya go....more junk from my life! He he....wait till I tell you about today. Today...its a doozy. I can't go there yet. Not in writing, at least.
No, I think now its time to take my blood pressure medicine, a benadryl, brush my teeth and head to bed. I've had a nice hot shower already too!
Nite again (to my one and only follower: Me!)
Jeny
My first post
Not sure if I am doing this right, as I am new to blogging. Got the idea to start a blog from Julie/Julia. I figured if she could do it, so could I! Don't worry, I won't try to cook all of Julia Child's French Cuisine in a year and tell you about it.
Make no mistake, the movie was excellent and Meryl Streep positively channeled Julia Child. The movie was great. The idea was genius. It's just that I have neither the time nor the budget to cook all of Julia's fine food and blog about it over the course of a year. Not sure how Julie afforded it, but I'm sure it didn't hurt she had the help of a husband's paycheck to help with the bills.
Unfortunately (or fortunately, however one happens to look at it), I don't have one of those critters hanging around my house waiting for me to cook his meals, pick up his dirty laundry, wash his clothes and....boink him from time to time. So htere's no extra paycheck to pay for the Duck a l'Orange. :)
Alrighty, so this is my inaugural post. I'm sure I'll return with some witty repartee and other various fun and assorted stories to tell. Night to my one reader and follower: Me! :))
Btw: Did I mention that Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag are one of my 4 followers on Twitter? He he he....they are. The REAL Heidi and Spencer. Funny isnt it?
Make no mistake, the movie was excellent and Meryl Streep positively channeled Julia Child. The movie was great. The idea was genius. It's just that I have neither the time nor the budget to cook all of Julia's fine food and blog about it over the course of a year. Not sure how Julie afforded it, but I'm sure it didn't hurt she had the help of a husband's paycheck to help with the bills.
Unfortunately (or fortunately, however one happens to look at it), I don't have one of those critters hanging around my house waiting for me to cook his meals, pick up his dirty laundry, wash his clothes and....boink him from time to time. So htere's no extra paycheck to pay for the Duck a l'Orange. :)
Alrighty, so this is my inaugural post. I'm sure I'll return with some witty repartee and other various fun and assorted stories to tell. Night to my one reader and follower: Me! :))
Btw: Did I mention that Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag are one of my 4 followers on Twitter? He he he....they are. The REAL Heidi and Spencer. Funny isnt it?
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